The Métis experience at the Chimney Coulee site (DjOe-6): A historical archaeology investigation into a 19th-century hivernant site in the Cypress Hills

• Author / Creator

  Tebby, Eric

• The Chimney Coulee site (DjOe-6) is a locally well-known historic site and provincial recreation area a few kilometers north of the town of Eastend, Saskatchewan in the southwestern corner of the province. Located along the eastern slopes of the Cypress Hills, the site has a deep history as people from various cultures and eras have called this place home. This thesis uses historical archaeology to delve into the Métis cultural experience at this site which they used to call “Foot of the Mountain” (Pied de la Montagne). It was visited and occupied by various Métis individuals and families between the years of 1870 and 1882. This thesis investigates Métis hivernant component to the site to better understand the residents of this cabin and their lifeways through historical archaeology. The historical analysis provides the context to the lives and kinship connections of the individuals and families who called this area their home. The archaeological analysis of a cabin feature helps to give a better understanding to when it was occupied and some context into the daily lives of these individuals. Together, it is argued that this site was occupied by the Métis during three distinct periods. The first was between the years of 1870 and 1874 when it was primarily occupied on an infrequent basis by mostly hunters and traders based from nearby settlements. The second occupation period was between 1874 and 1878 when 70 families settled on the site and in various other ravines and coulees in the area. With perhaps as much as 400 people occupying the site and surrounding areas, it could have been among the largest Métis hivernant settlements in this part of the country. The final occupation period was during a period between 1878 and 1882 when members of the Laframboise family were the main occupants at the site. The 2017 archaeological field season found remains of a cabin wall with many historic and domestic associated artifacts mainly concentrated on one side of this wall. The 2018 field season confirmed these trends. The artifacts are distinctly associated as being Métis in style and highly reflect an archaeological dataset that parallels other findings at previously investigated hivernant sites. Many daily activities such as beading, sewing, and tea consumption are well represented among such artifacts. Remains of personal and decorative items show a highly decorative and artistic lifestyle practiced during the long prairie winters. The domestic nature of the artifacts and diagnostic dates acquired suggests the cabin was primarily occupied in the second occupation period (1874-1878) and into the third occupation period (1878-1882). This cabin reflects a highly domesticated space of a Métis hivernant family living at the site for several winters during these timeframes.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Métis
  • Hivernant
  • Cypress Hills
  • Historical Archaeology
  • Chimney Coulee
  • 19th-century
  • Metis
  • Saskatchewan
  • Canadian History
  • Indigenous

• Graduation date

  Fall 2023

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-6w5y-cn33

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.